"Amy Shelton of Radioactive Waste Management outlines the geological conditions that make certain areas potentially suitable for the disposal of radioactive waste"

Perhaps the DUP really have got something right at last, even if they might not have been aware of it.

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THE British government-owned company tasked with finding sites for disposing of radioactive waste has said it cannot progress any plans for a nuclear dump in Northern Ireland while Stormont is suspended.

Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) said the north is the "region least likely" to house a nuclear waste disposal facility because the project requires the approval of the devolved administration, as well as those living near a potential site.

Concern about the company's plans was triggered by an online video showing prospective locations for a nuclear dump.

The video shows Amy Shelton, a senior research manager with RWM, outlining the geological conditions that make certain areas suitable for the disposal of radioactive waste.

The presentation, which divides the north into four geological areas – or subregions – is similar to corresponding videos produced by RWM that cover England and Wales.

Scotland does not feature as its devolved government adopted a policy of 'near surface disposal', according to RWM.

The video sparked a response from political representatives in south Down after the granite-rich area around Newry was earmarked by Ms Shelton as a potential location for a "geological disposal facility".

She said more work was needed to establish whether conditions are suitable.

But Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said any proposal to locate a site in parts of Co Down and Co Armagh was "totally unacceptable".

“Britain cannot use the north as a dumping ground for this hazardous and toxic material – not only would this have dire consequences for our environment but it would also pose a serious health risk to the population," he said.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said the proposal outlined in the video "beggars belief".

"Our areas of outstanding natural beauty and of significant environmental importance cannot become dumping grounds for British nuclear waste," he said.

"We have been subjected to years of abnormal radioactive levels given our proximity to Sellafield and this news that government agencies have been poking around our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to find holes for nuclear waste is beyond comprehension."

A spokesman for RWM said the disposal of radioactive waste is a devolved matter and that "no host site for a geological disposal facility has been identified and no region is being targeted over another".

"In the continued absence of the executive, no further commitments regarding the disposal of radioactive waste in Northern Ireland – including Newry – can be given," the spokesman said.

"Accordingly, we can confirm that for the time being at least we will not pursue a siting process in Northern Ireland."

The RWM spokesman said that in addition to suitable geological conditions, the "consent of a willing community" was required.

"Without these two things we cannot go ahead and build the facility," he said.

"The UK Government are investigating the suitability of Newry and surrounding area of Mourne Mountains and Slieve Gullion as a potential venue for the storage of radioactive waste. It's one of four sub-regions in Northern Ireland that have been deemed potentially suitable for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)." aka a nuclear waste dump. !

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"The report was published 18 December 2018 but only just brought to light by Carlingford Lough campaigning group Love Your Lough. You can view a video and report at" WWW.GOV.UK...

"A grassroots, environmental voluntary group based all around Carlingford Lough. Our aim is to Protect, Preserve & Promote Carlingford Lough."

My note,... I wonder what,... if anything,... Arlene and her colleagues who are currently helping to govern Britain,... think about this proposal in the area that they're supposed to be trying to govern. !

Anyway,... what could the cause of any reasons for any objections realistically be ?!,... they're only some of the most scenically beautiful areas of the world. !

BTW,... I wonder where the other three sub regions are. ? The Falls, Shankill, and Derry perhaps. ?!

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was so concerned it voted to write to Westminster saying it will never consent to a GDF in the Mournes or any other part of Northern Ireland.

Councillors agreed a motion on the issue at their February 4 meeting saying:

“This council notes with great concern the conclusions made from the National Geological screening for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) by Radioactive Waste Management (RMW) which suggests that parts of Newry, Mourne and Down District and other areas in Northern Ireland might be suitable for a GDF.

“This council will write to the minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy stating Council’s position as, ‘Newry, Mourne and Down District Council does not consent, and never will consent to hosting a Geological Disposal Facility in our Council area or any part of Northern Ireland’.

“This Council asks the other 10 councils in the North to take a similar position and equally write to the minister.”

A spokesperson said the council was consulted in March 2018 about how any future consultation with communities on the issue would take place, but were not asked if the council would want radioactive waste disposal within it’s district.

Furious campaigners from the area have called on political representatives to better brief the public on such plans.

While Mid Ulster group Save Our Sperrins is urging voters to “add this to your list of questions and concerns when the canvassing teams knock your door."

“We need to stand up and be counted when it comes to defending our community and our environment,” they added.

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath has described the RMW video outlining the Mournes as a possible site for nuclear waste as “chilling”.

He said: “This announcement from the Government’s Radioactive Waste Management organisation that their investigations show that a GDF is possible in places like the Mourne mountains beggars belief."

“Our areas of outstanding natural beauty and of significant environmental importance cannot become dumping grounds for British nuclear waste."

“We have been subjected to years of abnormal radioactive levels given our proximity to Sellafield and this news that Government agencies have been poking around our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to find holes for nuclear waste is beyond comprehension."

“I will be pursuing this matter in the coming weeks and asking Government departments, Ministers and officials for a reality check before any dire decisions are taken.”

Radioactive Waste Management (RMW) Ltd is the arms-length government company responsible for building the radioactive waste facility.

A spokesperson for the firm said 45 regions of the UK are included in their search for a site, adding: “At this stage, no host site for a geological disposal facility has been identified and no region is being targeted over another."

“Whilst the Northern Ireland Executive has previously supported geological disposal (in 2008 and 2014), any future policy decisions in relation to geological disposal in Northern Ireland remain a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive, which is currently suspended."

“In the continued absence of the Executive, no further commitments regarding the disposal of Radioactive Waste in Northern Ireland (including Newry), can be given."

“Accordingly, we can confirm that for the time being at least we will not pursue a siting process in Northern Ireland.”

A Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson added:

“There are no plans to site a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in Northern Ireland."

“Any future policy decision on geological disposal in Northern Ireland would be a matter for the Executive, and subject to community agreement, and planning and environmental consents.”

But this has not allayed fears for the future.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland have described the inclusion of Northern Ireland at all as “plutonium fuelled madness” given the remaining paramilitary threat, the border with the Republic and the fact the dangerous waste will have to be ferried across the Irish Sea.

FOENI spokesperson Declan Allison said:

“Plans to dispose of nuclear waste in Northern Ireland should be dumped. Shipping radioactive waste across the Irish Sea, then driving it along narrow country roads, to then store it underground for hundreds of thousands of years sounds like a plan conceived in a radiation addled brain."

“We’ve heard some terrible ideas before, but this is plutonium fuelled madness."

“Northern Ireland is already in the grip of a systemic failure of environmental protection. The Environment Agency is under resourced and over-worked, and lacks the experience or competency to deal with nuclear waste."

“Are we really to believe that NIEA can guarantee the safety of this dangerous waste for up to a million years ?"

“There is a profound generational injustice in this scheme. People not yet born will have to carry the burden of dealing with this toxic legacy. We cannot let that happen.”

Why is Northern Ireland included in the search ?

High strength rocks such as granite have been identified as the best place to build a ‘Geological Disposal Facility’ for nuclear and radioactive waste, and have been found in five regions of Northern Ireland.

What is a Geological Disposal Facility ?

A GDF is a permanent place to store the “higher activity” radioactive waste the UK has been producing for the past 60 years.